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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation

Traveller accommodation in caravans

Summary

Deputy Ó Cuív said many Traveller families are living in freezing, outdated caravans and need a comprehensive solution. The Minister said he and the Minister of State would review the committee’s report and noted the budgets for Traveller accommodation have been fully spent.

Tá áthas orm gurb é an tAire atá anseo inniu, and the reason I am so pleased he is here is that I have raised time and again in this house the issue of Travellers living in caravans, or trailers, as they prefer to call them. Many of these are old and many of them are freezing cold in the winter, and as we come into another winter, this problem is not solved. The Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community has just agreed a short report with 12 specific, very practical recommendations that once and for all would put this issue to bed and solve it comprehensively for the people who choose to live in trailers rather than in fixed accommodation. At the moment, I think the maximum spend per caravan is €40,000. The Minister knows the cost of one single house. We have had that debate in the House recently. To resolve this with all the trailers that need replacement would not be a big cost.

I ask the Minister to confirm for me today that, once the report comes to him, he will examine it and make sure its recommendations, which amount to one page, are implemented. Each one of the recommendations is practical and doable.

Comment on this

Go raibh maith agat as ucht an cheist ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo. It is good to hear the report is concise. I guarantee the Deputy that, on receiving it, the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, and I will review it. The Minister of State has delegated responsibility in this area. I am pleased that our capital budgets for the provision of Traveller accommodation have been fully spent every year in which this Government has been in place. There is an issue and I know the caravan loan scheme and other matters are being examined for people in the Traveller community. I will welcome the report as soon as it is ready. I assure the Deputy that I will examine it as a matter of priority, consult my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, and revert to the Deputy and the committee directly.

Comment on this